Treatment of Acne Scar Contraction Using Autologous Cultured Epithelial Sheet Transplantation: A Report of Four Cases

Acne vulgaris often results in disfigurement with scarring if early treatment is insufficient. In particular, tissue destruction due to infection of hair follicles leads to contracture. There are many treatments for acne scars and scar contracture, but therapy of scar contracture, especially ice pick-like scars or crater-shaped scars, is difficult. In this study, we attempted treatment with grafting of an autologous cultured epithelial sheet in four patients with acne vulgaris accompanied by scar contracture. As a result, not only was the scarring improved, but the skin texture was also improved in all cases three months after grafting. Excessive collagen synthesis during the healing process following tissue destruction induces scar contracture, but various proteases secreted by the grafted cultured epithelium are thought to metabolize this excess collagen, improving the scarring and skin texture. Autologous cultured epithelium grafting, which can be completed with a single treatment, may be an effective method for treating acne scars.